First came the FitBit, then the Apple Watch, and now the Oura Ring. The Oura Ring is a type of fitness tracker that actually debuted the same year as the Apple Watch in 2015 and has recently gained popularity. It’s a sleek alternative to your typical activity-tracking watch. Instead, it has small sensors along the inside of the ring that track your track daily movement, sleep and more. So today, we’re doing a deep-dive into the world of Oura Rings: What are they, and why does everyone love them?
Once you get the run-down on the popular fitness device, you can decide if an Oura Ring would benefit your wellness journey.
Oura Ring: What to Know
What is the Oura Ring, and how does it work?
The Oura Ring is a different type of fitness tracker that’s worn as a ring rather than a watch. It’s said to be extremely light and comfortable, especially for those who aren’t accustomed to wearing rings. And, like we said, it works using tiny sensors on the inside of the ring. These can track all kinds of biometrics like your temperature and heart rate.
The Oura Ring can also track your sleep, movement and even your menstrual cycle. All of the information is saved and sent to a corresponding app. If you subscribe to the app, you can use and look at your stats at any time.
How to track your movement with an Oura Ring:
To make sure your Oura Ring is tracking your movement properly, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing it on your index finger. You should also make sure the sensors are on the palm side of your finger to guarantee accuracy. The device is best at tracking steps while you’re walking or running.
Unlike Apple or Garmin watches, you’ll have to manually enter activities into the Oura app at the end of your workout. However, the Oura Ring needs to be charged far less frequently than an Apple Watch. It’s intended to be worn almost 24/7, so it often tracks more of your steps than other devices that need to be charged every night (or more).
Your Oura Ring gives you a Sleep Score.
As previously mentioned, the Oura Ring is worn all day, every day. Therefore, many users make use of the device’s popular sleep tracking function. It shows how long you were in light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep. At the end of the night, it offers you a “sleep score,” on a scale of zero to 100. The score is based on your sleep efficiency, how quickly you fell asleep and how well-rested you are, while also taking naps into account. It’s pretty next-level for anyone looking for insight on their sleeping habits.
Cycle Tracking: How to do it, and why?
Cycle tracking is helpful for anyone who gets their period to pick up on patterns, and to plan accordingly. Oura can detect a shift in your cycle, based on your body temperature fluctuations throughout the night. It can help you log period dates and PMS symptoms, and it can also track your pregnancy. And if you want, you can connect it to the popular, FDA-approved Natural Cycles app, which can offer more insight for your cycle.
This is what charging your Oura Ring looks like:
Charging your Oura Ring looks much different than charging other smart devices. One charge tends to last users multiple days at a time (which is very helpful when you want to track your sleep). To charge it, you’ll place the ring on the charging dock. The sensor bumps should light up with the light that’s on the charger, which should be connected to a power source via USB-C.
To show it’s charging, the light will pulse white. Once it’s fully charged, that same light will turn green to indicate that it’s all done.
How much does an Oura Ring cost?
The cost of the Oura Ring varies based on model and color. The cost of the latest model, the Oura Ring 4, ranges from $349 to $499. If you’re willing to get an older model, however, the Oura Ring 3 Heritage is on sale for $199. Meanwhile, the Oura Ring Horizon is on sale for $249—the difference is style and color.
There are multiple colors and models.
Once you decide that an Oura Ring is right for you, you’ll have to choose your model and color of choice. For example, the Oura Ring 4 comes in black, silver, brushed silver, stealth, gold and rose gold. Alternatively, the Oura Ring 3 Heritage comes in silver, black and stealth, whereas the Horizon comes in silver, black, stealth, brushed titanium, gold and rose gold.
Figure out your ring size with an Oura Ring size kit.
If you’ve never worn a ring before, there’s a good chance you don’t know your ring size. But fortunately, you can order a free Oura Ring sizing kit when making your purchase. After selecting your ring, click “Order a Free Sizing Kit” and add it to your cart. Once you determine your size, you can order accordingly.
Pros of the Oura Ring:
- Tracks fitness, sleep and cycle
- Subtle and sleek look
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Comes in multiple colors
- The charge lasts for days
- Connects to an easy-to-use app
Cons of the Oura Ring:
- Better at tracking step-based activities than other kinds of workouts
- Must use the app to see stats
- More costly than other wearables
- App requires a subscription
- Water-resistant for up to 100 meters, but not fully waterproof for long-term wear
FAQs
Does the Oura Ring track steps?
Using a 3D accelerometer, your Oura Ring is able to track your steps and activities. When you’re exercising, you’ll want to make sure the ring’s sensor bumps are touching the palm side of your finger. And even though it’s harder to measure non-step-based activities (like cycling rather than running), you can simply add activities on the Oura app manually.
Is the Oura Ring waterproof?
Oura Rings are water-resistant for up to about 100 meters, or 330 feet, so you can shower or swim in them. However, the brand does not recommend using the Oura Ring while scuba diving, or having it submerged in water for more than 12 hours.
What finger should I wear the Oura Ring on?
To ensure the Oura Ring is getting the most accurate data, you should wear it on your index finger.
